Bariatric surgery in Mexico is growing as the interest and need to lose weight increases, and health standards in Mexico continue to rise. Choosing the best bariatric surgeon in Mexico is now a major hurdle due to the vast number of doctors with all levels of skill, expertise, and efficacy.
Surgical treatment of obesity has gained popularity in recent years as a proven way to achieve long-term weight reduction. Procedures such as gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery not only help get rid of extra pounds but also are a proven remedy to problems associated with it, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and some forms of cancer.
Why Consider Mexico Bariatric Surgery?
A huge contributing factor to the surge in people exploring bariatric surgery in Mexico is:
- Lack of Insurance Coverage for Bariatric Surgery: Most major insurance providers DO offer coverage for this operation, although getting accepted is often the issue. It takes time to finalize the process, even if you follow all the qualifications and requirements.
- Cost-Effective: Even with insurance coverage, the cost of co-pays and deductibles is expensive in the United States.
- Wait Times: Waiting to be accepted for weight loss surgery is extremely difficult to deal with. The feeling of “not being in control” while one of the biggest life-changing moments is so close, yet so far.
- Quality Comparison: The quality of bariatric surgery in Mexico is very comparable to the quality, standards, safety, and surgeon experience in the United States. However, choosing the right bariatric center is a balance between price, quality, and success rate.
8 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Reputable Bariatric Center in Mexico
1. In-Depth Research on Bariatric Surgeon
Make sure they are not a fly-by-night, one-man shop bariatric surgeon. Any doctor can set up a website with no infrastructure behind them. It’s up to you to do your research and look at testimonials, reviews, packages, scams, and statistics.
- Are they U.S.-based bariatric surgeons?
- How many years have they been in business?
- Do they have any affiliations or certifications (BBB, MTA, etc.)?
- Do they have positive reviews online?
- Do they have real before/after pictures of patients’ success?
- Are they transparent with social media channels?
2. All-Inclusive Package Details
In general, it is recommended that you avoid low advertised prices that seem too good to be true.
- At least 2 nights in a hotel
- Surgical Fees
- A hospital stay of at least 1 night for Gastric Balloon, 2 nights for Gastric Sleeve, and 3 nights for Gastric Bypass, Mini Bypass, and Duodenal Switch.
- Provides both Pre-op and Post-op tests
- Medications included
- Inbound, in-town, and outbound private transportation
3. Honest and Transparent Bariatric Surgery Pricing
- Make sure the advertised price has no hidden fees.
- Is the bariatric surgery price reflect an all-inclusive package?
- Does the package allow for enough stay in a high-quality hospital & hotel (2 nights in hotel and 2 to 3 nights in hospital)?
- Does the facility allow companions?
In general, it is recommended that you avoid low advertised prices that seem too good to be true.
4. Dedicated Patient Care Coordinators to Guide You
- Look for bariatric surgical centers with dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring patient coordinators to guide you along your journey. They are the ones to be available at all times to walk you through the entire process.
- Are they full-time employees dedicated to your success?
- What is the patient satisfaction rate?
- This person can make a difference in your overall experience and success.
5. Surgical Team: Know the Bariatric Surgeon’s Team
- Their board certifications, skills, track record, experience, and proven outcomes.
- It is preferable to deal with a bariatric surgery surgeon with multiple doctors capable of doing all bariatric surgery procedures, including hard-to-do surgical procedures and revisions.
- Be aware of start-up companies that use an inexperienced surgeon who has just worked as an assistant surgeon.
- How many surgeries does the surgical team perform each day for your safety, results, and outcome, keeping the care quality in mind?
- Is the SURGERY performed completely FROM START TO FINISH by the bariatric surgeon (not a ghost surgeon)? There are famous doctors heavily marketed that are just a name and do not perform the surgeries themselves.
- Instrumentation and equipment they use. Make sure they use brand-name, certified devices for surgery.
- Ensure the surgical team, and bariatric surgeon are qualified and experienced, especially the anesthesiologist.
- Look at the complication rate of the bariatric surgeon, surgical staff, and the center as a whole. The published complication rate is about 2.8% to 4.5% in the U.S. However, the closer to zero it is the more desirable option.
- It is crucial for the surgeon to communicate with the patient and that they are fluent in English.
6. Accredited Hospital (Not Clinic)
- Is the surgery performed at a certified hospital (not a surgery center or facility)?
- Is the hospital specialized in bariatric surgery – using a dedicated bariatric hospital lowers the risk and complication rate and usually has a better outcome.
- Does the hospital have an Intensive Care Unit or an ICU?
- Hospital cleanliness in terms of avoiding infections and viruses like the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
7. Nutritionist Support: Pre-Op and Post-Op
- Pre-operative diet support with a specialized nutritionist.
- Post-operative support with a nutritionist and dietitian.
- After-care support with nutritionist, dietitian, and surgeon liaison.
- Access to a closed Facebook support group with thousands of active members.
- Nutritional webinars
- At least 2 nights in a hotel
- Surgical Fees
- A hospital stay of at least 1 night for Gastric Balloon, 2 nights for Gastric Sleeve, and 3 nights for Gastric Bypass, Mini Bypass, and Duodenal Switch.
- Provides both Pre-op and Post-op tests
- Medications included
- Inbound, in-town, and outbound private transportation
8. On-Call Surgeon Liaison (Medical Expert)
- Do you have a person medically-informed to talk to if you have a question before or after bariatric surgery?
Is Bariatric Surgery in Mexico Safe?
Yes, traveling to Mexico is safe for bariatric surgery and is continuously progressing in health standards and medical expertise. Despite many people’s beliefs, Mexico has steadily risen to a very safe community. Like anywhere else, some parts of Mexico have lower crime rates and others higher.
As long as you take the proper precautions and considerations and diligently research your bariatric surgery options, you will find a trusted bariatric center with a low complication rate and top-tier safety record.
There are two different “patient processes” that just about every patient follows. You are either shopping for the best price or the best surgeon. The problem generally lies in those looking for the lowest price that they can find.
To reduce risk, make an informed decision based on diligent research and ask specific, direct questions.
Hospital or Facility? – It Makes a BIG Difference
Hospitals are the best option to better ensure safety and to reduce the overall risk of complications occurring from bariatric procedures. The difference between hospitals vs. facilities is mainly the equipment, intensive care unit, emergency room, additional staff, doctors, surgeons if needed, and the overall preparation and standards hospitals offer over facilities.
A facility is usually used to cut costs for providers of bariatric surgery in Mexico. It is basically a clinic solely used to perform the procedure. Most facilities use a separate building for patients to recover, called a “recovery center.” The main disadvantage of weight loss surgery in a facility is in the event of an emergency, complication, or incident that requires immediate urgent care is not likely achievable at a facility.
The risk of death from bariatric surgery is extremely rare, although hospitals have the proper resources for emergencies while also keeping patients for recovery and post-op tests.
Costs Included and Unforeseen “Hidden” Costs
A very important question to ask is, “What are any possible costs that I have to pay or may end up having to pay?” This is vital to finding a bariatric surgeon in Mexico because it alleviates the risk of unforeseen or hidden costs coming up later on. If you simply ask, “What is included?” it is easier for providers to leave out or forget to mention important costs.
Ask Questions When You Call
First of all, not all research has to be done strictly online. When searching for the right bariatric surgical center, always call and ask them about all of their listed procedures. Do not be afraid to ask questions.
When undergoing a life-changing procedure such as gastric sleeve surgery, you want to look out for your best interest and your ideal outcome. Therefore, become knowledgeable about what each bariatric company has to offer. In doing so, you improve your chances of a quality experience with the best results that you won’t regret.
Remember – Is the company that you are looking at for weight loss surgery simply a name, website, or P.O. box? Or is it a REAL bariatric company with REAL results? When searching for a trusted bariatric surgeon, these are the questions you need to ask.
Do Your Own Research
Medical tourism is a young, growing industry with little to no regulation. Most patients search online for weight loss procedures. Google allows anyone to pay to get their name listed on top of the page results when you look for bariatric procedures or obesity treatment services. Therefore, many internet-savvy people take advantage of this situation by creating a copycat website and pretending to be a medical tourism company.
Find a Trusted Bariatric Surgeon in Mexico
The medical tourism industry has become an extremely viable option for people without adequate insurance or coverage. Hence, going across the border to Tijuana, Mexico, for low-cost health care is the best affordable alternative.
If you are looking to get a life-changing weight loss procedure, you will either save thousands or avoid an extensive wait time by choosing Tijuana, Mexico. Tijuana, Mexico, is an increasingly popular destination for bariatric surgery as well. In order to find a high-quality, safe, and dependable bariatric surgeon in Mexico, you should go through a facilitating company.
Mexico Bariatric Surgeons
At Mexico Bariatric Center, every procedure we offer is listed at an affordable price as part of an all-inclusive package. We have been in business since 2012 and are fully staffed with qualified specialists to help our patients from start to finish. Our pricing is transparent, our bariatric surgeons are hand-picked, and our customer service is unparalleled to any other bariatric medical tourism facilitator.
Ultimately, the purpose of providing this information is to enable anyone interested in bariatric surgery to make the right decision. As a result, we hope that this proves useful in your journey to weight loss success!
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